He added: "It's great that big name retailers are agreeing to take decisive action."

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Specialist obesity dietician Nicole Berberian told Sky News she welcomed the move: "We're trying to do anything we can to get the sugar from the nation down from drinks.

"We've seen it's related to tooth decay, type 2 diabetes, and also for children and teenagers, it's been related to weight gain."

Katherine Button, the co-ordinator of the Campaign for Better Hospital Food, said: "NHS hospitals are trusted by patients, families and staff to keep them fit and well, and NHS England is helping everyone to take a big healthy step in the right direction."

There has been growing pressure for measures to tackle obesity, and from next April a sugar tax is being introduced on the soft drinks industry.

The British Soft Drinks Association Director General Gavin Partington said: "It makes sense to promote sales of healthier options in hospitals but not to focus on soft drinks, the only food and drink category which has seen a significant reduction in consumer sugar intake, down by over 18 percent since 2012."

NHS England is also setting targets to cut confectionery sales and also foods like pre-packed sandwiches and pre-packed meals.

Many patients have also applauded the move. One visitor to West Middlesex Hospital in London told Sky News: "They should be selling healthy stuff in the first place. It's because of the sugar people end up in hospitals, so they should set an example."